Ben Keene Biography
Ben Keene is a keynote speaker of great energy and enthusiasm. He is a social entrepreneur who recruited an online tribe and then built a cross-cultural community on a Fijian Island. The development of the island has featured on TV around the world. Ben is a fascinating and truly inspirational keynote speaker and is sharing his amazing story around the world.
Ben Keene: Eco-Tourism & A Social Media Adventure
As co-founder of Tribewanted - a unique eco-tourism and social media adventure - Ben has been in the spotlight for several years as he has fought to get this ambitious project off the ground both on the island of Vorovoro in Fiji and online.
Tribewanted - A Sustainable Community
The idea behind Tribewanted was to recruit a group of like-minded people online before heading to the Fijian Island of Vorovoro to build a sustainable community alongside the local indigenous tribe. With an immediate online and media buzz leading to a flood of paid memberships Tribewanted got off to a flying start with barely any investment - the island lease was secured and the virtual community sprung to life. All major decisions on the island are voted on by an online tribe that anyone around the world could join.
But there were soon many challenges to overcome. A fire swept the island in week one of the project, a military coup (delayed until the end of a rugby match!) brewed on the mainland, and a tropical cyclone threatened to wipe out the emerging village. Online there were other storms to fight, as accusations of scam artistry, near bankruptcy, and the regular grind of debates and decision-making among Tribewanteds 1000+ members pushed the adventure and Ben's business to the very edge.
Ben Keene as Entrepreneur
Ben's entrepreneurial journey is as exciting as any start-up around today - and the challenges he's faced and overcome show how a dream can be realised when you put your trust in people and a culture that you haven't yet discovered. It is a 21st century attempt at building a better way of life and a successful social enterprise.
Social Enterprise
Ben is developing the Tribewanted social media network to deliver sustainable projects, journeys and events with the aim of turning his island adventure into a significant social enterprise. In May 2010 the search began for the Tribewanted 2010 project in Sierra Leone.
Ben Keene as Inspirational Keynote Speaker
After spending two years on Vorovoro Ben is now sharing his remarkable story with a diverse range of audiences from schools, corporates, charities and even, although he didn't quite realise it at the time, the CIA!
Ben's audiences have included Cambridge University Union in 2008, Barrow-in-Furness Young Professionals in 2009, Adventure Travel Live in 2010, and the Geotourism Summit for National Geographic in 2010.
Awards
- Future 100, Striding Out
- OBSERVER Courvoisier The Future 500,
- UK Entrepreneur of the Year, Finalist
- Digital & Design Industry Awards, WInner Grand Prix & Most Innovative Project
Winner Best Social Network, Broadcast Digital Media Awards - Nominated: Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards Conservation of Cultural Heritage
For further information or to book Ben Keene, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Ben Keene Video
Ben Keene Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Ben Keene. For more information on Ben Keene please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Ben Keene News
A selection of relevant news related to Ben Keene, Keynote Speakers, Entrepreneurs and Sustainability Speakers stories. For more information on Ben Keene or details as to how to book Ben Keene for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Chris Anderson Advises on Killer Presentations
30th May 2013
TED Curator and keynote speaker, Chris Anderson, has given his advice and knowledge on how to give a killer presentation.
Willie Harcourt Cooze Releases New Chocolate Range
16th April 2013
Entrepreneur and star of Channel 4 show ‘Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’, Willie Harcourt Cooze, has recently released a new range of chocolate desserts and gifts, which are now available all over the UK.
Hans Rosling Talks Facts
11th February 2013
Innovative statistician Hans Rosling spoke to a captive audience at Oslo University about facts - and their necessary place at the top of the priority list for anyone who wants to see positive changes in the world.
Innovative Speakers Gather at TED 2012
28th June 2012
California is once again the sunny location for TED, the most innovative and exciting conference on the planet, where speakers with ‘ideas worth spreading’ gather to share their thoughts on technology, design, science, media, politics, the arts, and other insights on how to shape a better word.
Ruby Wax on Speaker Lineup for TEDGlobal 2012
11th May 2012
The TED website has announced the list of innovative speakers who will inspire at this year’s conference, exploring the theme of Radical Openness, including comedian and corporate host Ruby Wax.
California Hosts TED 2012 – The Full Spectrum
1st March 2012
Speakers Corner boasts a vast selection of TED speakers, including Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Chris Anderson, Rory Bremner, Tim Harford, Magnus Lindkvist, Charles Hazlewood and Nic Marks.
Michael Acton Smith: One To Watch in 2012
24th January 2012
From authors to entrepreneurs; from CEOs to ballet dancers, and from scientists to police commissioners, The Times has compiled a list of those inspirational and successful figures who are predicted to hit the headlines in the year ahead, including entrepreneur Michael Acton Smith.
Top 10 Speakers for 2012
27th December 2011
As the year draws to a close, Speakers Corner looks forward to the promise of the intriguing and opportune months ahead. 2012 is set to be a year of economic optimism, business innovation and a host of rising stars on the corporate circuit – all primed to motivate, educate, stimulate and entertain.
Richard Reed Tells of Innocent Success
19th December 2011
Innocent co-founder Richard Reed tells Director Magazine how his company kept control after breaking corporate tradition by selling a £30m stake to Coca-Cola in 2009. Innocent has maintained its position as arguably the most successful UK brand of the new millennium, and Speakers Corner proudly presents a host of Innocent speakers, all ideally placed to motivate and entertain on the corporate circuit. Joe McEwan, Dan Germain and Jessica Sansom, as well as Reed himself are all in high demand for corporate events.
Big Ideas - Christian Majgaard, Lucy P. Marcus and Rachel Armstrong
18th October 2011
Corporate speakers and lauded innovation thinkers Christian Majgaard, Lucy P. Marcus and Rachel Armstrong grace The Big Ideas Factory in York for an evening of thought provoking debate and networking in Ron Cooke Hub's purpose built innovation space.
Ben Keene Reviews
Ben Keene has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Ben Keene for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Ben Keene for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
The best speaker at the conference by a mile.
Ben Keene is redefining the meaning of success.
For further information or to book Ben Keene, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Other speakers you might like
Sarah Willingham
Sarah has won multiple entreprenuerial and business awards and has appeared on television programmes as a business expert including 'The Restaurant.'
Kanya King
Kanya King MBE is an internationally recognised entrepreneur and innovator in the music industry. Kanya speaks on subjects from entrepreurship to adversity
Nicholas Stern
Lord Nicholas Stern made headline news around the world and became an instant household name when he published his critically acclaimed and long awaited 700 page ground breaking ‘Stern Review’ into the economic impact of climate change.
Rachel Elnaugh
Rachel is an inspirational role model and excellent business & motivational speaker speaking about the highs and lows of business. Rachel is also a former Dragon
